Auxiliary supporting means for metal door frame bracing assemblies



1959 M. R. CHRISTIAN ETAL 2,914,813

AUXILIARY SUPPORTING MEANS FOR METAL DOOR FRAME BRACING ASSEMBLIES Filed Dec. 10, 1957 3 Sheets-$heet l m m E NM 0 W H m m m M c R F p mm. RB UR AE MH w n 2 u 5 7 E mas/IQ m r. P JLI 5 L 1 v 2 w 4 Dec. 1, 1959 M. R. CHRISTIAN ETAI- 2,914,813

AUXILIARY SUPPORTING MEANS FOR METAL DOOR FRAME BRACING ASSEMBLIES Filed Dec. 10, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I i I 27 26* 2 INVENTORS MAURICE R. CHRISTIAN HERBERT c. RYDING,JR.

ATTORNEYi Dec. 1, 1959 CHRlSTlAN ETAL 2,914,813

AUXILIARY SUPPORTING MEANS FOR METAL DOOR FRAME BRACING ASSEMBLIES I Filed Dec. 10, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG] 56 F168.

INVENTORS MAURICE R. CHRISTIAN HERBERT C.RYDING.JR.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent AUXILIARY SUPPORTING MEANS FOR METAL M noon FRAME BRACING ASSEMBLIES Maurice R. Christian and Herbert C. Ryding, J12,

\ Birmingham, Ala.

. The present invention relates to a portable knockdowntype' metal door or window frame bracing jack assembly and, more particularly,to improvements in jacks of this type, as embodied in applicants copending application, Serial No. 664,403, filed June 7, 1957.

' It has been found in installing metal doors and window frames that, due to the rough handling of the concrete ,blocks or other masonry units, when erecting a wall next to either the right or left side jambs of a door frame, there is "e tendency for the door frame to be pushed out of plumb. Especially is this true when one mason is working 'on one jamb and the masonry has not been started on the opposite jamb. This condition has caused considerable delay and expense in constructing masonry walls.

7 "Accordingly, an important object is to provide simple, efiicient, and compact auxiliary bracing means associated with'a door frame jack assembly so as to provide means for preventing displacement, and to steady the door frame while the walls are being laid and during the interval until the wall is built up to a predetermined height along sures the door framenbeing braced in every direction until the masonry wall is built up along the door frame to a predetermined height.

, A further object consists in providing transversely dis- 2,914,813 Patented Dec. 1, 1959 Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the bracing means, shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a front view of a door frame, showing a pair of bracing jacks and a modified form of auxiliary bracing means, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view of the bracing means, shown in Figure 7; and

, Figure .9 is a front view of the bracing means, shown in Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates a substantially U-shaped metal door frame having the spaced vertically disposed side jambs 11, which are connected at their upper ends by the cross head or transom member 12 and which may be of any desired shape and size. Associated with each of the side jambs 11 and extending transversely of the door frame is a knock-down or readily dismantleable bracing'jack assembly 13. A pair of these assemblies are provided so as to support the transom member 12 at spaced points and adjacent the upper corners of the frame 10, so as to insure the door frame being maintained firmly in a fixed position as the masonry walls or blocks are being erected and until the wall reaches a predetermined height, such as a height approximately /3 of the height of the frame 10, at which point the jack assembly may be disconnected from the frame without stopping or interrupting the progress of the wall or disrupting the progress of the workmen.

Each of the jack assemblies 13 includes a front inclined tubular rod or upright 14 and a rear inclined tubular rod or upright 15 which converge upwardly from their lower end portions 16 (Fig. 2) and extend transversely of the door frame so as to be positioned on opposite sides thereof and form a pair of spaced substantially A-shaped supporting frames. The ends of the portions 16 may be provided with rubber caps or shoes 17 that engage the floor or base 18 so as to prevent accidental slipping of the A- frames when the parts are assembled. The front rod or upright 14 and the rear rod 15 are connected adjacent the lower ends by a sectional brace including a transversely disposed arm 19' pivoted as at 20 to the front rod 14,

i and a coacting transverse rod or bar 21 pivoted as at 22 posed strut members releasably connected to opposite side t jambs of the door frame, so as to provide means for preventing the spread or bowing in of the side jambs due to .the mortar pressure against these jambs as the wall progres sively is built up along the sides of the door frame. ,:Another object is to provide each of the jack assemblies with across head or transom engaging member, and connecting both the legs of the A-frame and the auxiliary bracing leg to the cross head.

Other objects andadvantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, when taken fcofdan'ce'with the present invention:

'TFig iire 2 is a vertical sectional view of Figure 1;.

Figure 3fisa'sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3" of Figure 1; v 'Figure 4 is an enlarged detail side view of the auxiliary bracing meanswith parts in section; t

Figure -.5 is a detailed front view of Figure 4;

to the rearv rod 15. j The inner ends of the bars 19 and .21 overlap and are pivotally connected as at 22, so as to be collapsible when the sections 19 and 21 are raised upwardly about their pivots 20 and 22, respectively. Any suitable stop means may be provided for limiting the downward movement of the center portions of the arms 19 and 21 relative to each other for the purpose of maintaining them in a fixed horizontal position.

Each of the tubular uprights 14 and 15at their upper ends is arranged toreceive a telescopic rod or leg 23, which may be-adjustably secured thereto by a yieldable clamping collar 24. An elongated cross head member or transom plate 25 (Fig. 6) is positioned adjacent each of the vupper corners, of the door frame 14 and carries means releasably engageable with the underside of the transom member 12 and one of the side jambs 11 When downwardly inclined end flange 30 (Fig. 6) provided with .a transverse reduced cut-out portion 31. 'diate portion 27 of the member 26 has a centrally dis- The intermeposed vertical slot 32 in which is slidably mounted a retaining bolt 33 fixed to the cross member 25, soas tel-mined height relative to the door frame. member 45 is connected medially to the outer surface of to permit vertical displacement of the plate 26 in order to move the same into and out of engagement with the underside of the cross member or transom 12 to support he sa e A lug 34 e nd t a dly from h cross 'member25 and is on the same, side thereof as the angulated slidable member 26,. The lug '34 has a vertical threaded opening through which a threaded bolt 35 .extends. The lower end of the bolt 35 has an enlarged head 36 which may be provided with an opening37 for receiving a suitable turning tool (not shown). The opposite or upper end 38 of the bolt 35.is arranged to abut the underside ofthe horizontal portion 29 of the movable member 26 so as to move and maintain the sup.- porting flange 28 in adjustable and firm engagement with the crosshead member .or transom 12 of the door frame when the parts are assembled. The cross head member 25 adjacent opposite ends thereof, has transversely disposed aligned elongated slots 39 (Fig. 6) to which are adjustably connected the vertically disposed angle plates 40 by the threaded bolts 41 and the wing nuts 42 (Fig. 3) so as to be longitudinally adjustable relative to the plate 25 and be releasably maintained in a fixed position relative to the side jambs 11 (Fig. 3), by the clamping of the wing nuts 42 on the threaded bolts 41. Thus, it will be seen that, when each of the A-frames 14 and 15 is assembled, as particularly shown in Figures 1 and 2, the end or corner portions thereof are engaged by the spaced "horizontal end portions 28 of the pair of spaced plates tends the lower end of a'rod 45, which is adjustably secured thereto by a flexible clamping collar or sleeve 46 (Fig. 1). The upper end'portion 47 of each of the rods 45 is flattened as at 48 and terminates in a concave recess 49 in the top thereof that fits in the transverse slot 31 of the inclined end flange 30, so as to detachably connect the rod 45 to the cross member 25 through the angulated member 26. As each of the rods 45 is axially adjustable relative to its associated tubular members 43, it will be seen that each of the bracing members 44 may be longitudinally adjusted upon movement of the angulated plate 26 into firm engagement with the underside of the cross head or transom 12 which is done by rota.- "tion of the bolt 35 so as to raise the member 26. It will be noted that each of the bracing members 43 is inclined,

and extends crosswise within the door frame so that the lower end thereof engages the floor 18 and the side jamb 11 opposite to that which the upper end of the brace 43 is connected by the cross head member 25. 'Thus, each auxiliary bracing member 43 coacts with an A-frame to provide means for resisting any tendency of the door frame It) to be pushed out of plumb when the blocks forming the side walls adjacent the door frame are being laid, and during the interval the masonry wall is being erected and until the wall is built to a prede- The bracing -mortar pressure against the jamb will tend to spread or bow it in so as to produce a warping effect. In order to avoid this, transversely disposed strut means 50 preferably in the form of a pair of wooden or thin, flat metal tstrips, are provided which are of substantially the same length as the width of the interior of the door frame, and

which may be detachably connected together by spaced transversely disposed threaded bolts 51 to which are connected the wing nuts 52 (Fig. 3). The strips 50 are arranged to be clamped at their opposite ends to the inwardly disposed continuous ribs 53 on the side jambs 11 so as to provide means for withstanding the inward pressure on the side jamb 11, and thus prevent warping of the frame caused by the mortar pressure applied to the jamb as the masonry wall progresses upwardly along the sides of the jambs 11.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the metal door or window frame 54 may be substantially similar in construction to the door frame 10 previously described and has the side jambs 55 connected by the horizontal cross head or transom member 56. In order to maintain the door frame 54 accurately and firmly in position and prevent displacement thereof in any direction particularly during the interval the masonry wall is being erected and until the wall is built up to a predetermined height along the door or window frame 56, a jack assembly 57 is arranged to be associated with the door frame adjacent each upper corner thereof, so as to support and maintain the same in a relatively fixed position. Each of the jack assemblies includes a cross head member 58 (Fig. 9) to which is medially connected an upwardly projecting fixed plate 59 by the bolts or rivets 60, so that the plate extends above the top of the cross head 58. The plate 59 has a fixed bolt or lug 61 which extends outwardly from one side thereof. An angulated movable member or plate 62' is provided with an intermediate portion 63 having a vertical slot 64 through which the bolt 61 loosely extends, so as to allow the plate 63 to be displaced vertically relative to the plate 59. The upper end 'of the plate 63 terminates in a laterally disposed flange 65, while the opposite end thereof is formed with a horizontal flange 66 extending outwardly and in an opposite direction to that of the flange 65. A lug or boss 67 is spaced below the plate 62 and has a vertically threaded opening for receiving a threaded bolt 68 which has its inner and upper 'end 69 engageable with the flange 66 on the plate 62.

The bolt 68, at its outer end, has a manually operating head 70. Each of thejack assemblies includes a substantially A-shaped frame 71 which may be substantially similar in construction and operation to the A-frames 45 and 46, previously described. Each of the A frames 71 has the upper sections or arms 72 thereof connected as at 73 to a cross head or member 58. In order to prevent or reduce to a minimum lateral displacement of the door frame 55 during the interval the masonry wall is being erected, auxiliary bracing means 74 are adjustably connected to each of the cross heads 58, and are inclined downwardly so as to extend across the space between the side jambs of the door frame and be positioned within the frame. Each of the auxiliary reinforcing means 74 is preferably in the form of sectional members and includes a lower tubular portion 75 and an upper rod portion 76 which telescopes within the portion 75 and is adjustably connected thereto by a yieldable clamping collar or sleeve 77 (Fig. 7).

Each of the-rods 76 is connected at its upper end to an arm 78 of a bell crank 79 as at 79. The bell crank 79 is pivoted as at 80 to aj bifurcated member or bracket 81 extending outwardlyand laterally from one side of the cross head 58. The bell crank 79 has an upwardly extending arm 82 (Fig. 8) provided with a transverse opening through which extends a threaded bolt 83 having an inner end 84 abutting the cross head 58, and an outer end provided with an enlarged head 85 for adjustably controlling the rotation of .the bell crank 78 about its pivot 80, so as to raise or lower the inclined bracing member 74 connected to the bell crank, and thus insure a rigid and firm connection of each of the downwardly inclined bracing members 74 with opposite sides of the jambs SSjand'the floor or'base 86, when the parts are It will be noted that, in both forms of the invention shown, the auxiliary bracing means is connected to the transverse head or member of the jack assembly, so that the latter constitutes a common support for both the bracing members 43 and 74, in order to effectively steady the door frame, and thus prevent; contraction or warping of the frame as the masonry walls or blocks are being laid. Moreover,' in both forms ofthe invention, the auxiliary bracing means coacts with the A-frames for maintaining the door or window frame in perfect vertical alignment and without danger of the frame being laterally displaced due to being pushed or moved out of plumb, especially where one mason is working on one side jamb arid the masonry has not been started on the opposite side jamb. It will be observed that, in all forms of the invention, the auxiliary bracing member extends crosswise ofeach other within the door frame, and each auxiliary of being moved or pushedout of plumb.

\ It will be manifest that the forms of the invention shownare merely illustrative and that such changes may be made as come within the scope of the following claims.

We claim: I I

1. In combination with a door frame bracing jack assembly, a cross memberprovided with spaced supporting legs, means for clamping said cross member to one side of'the door frame, a vertically displaceable plate on one sideof said cross member and arranged releasably to engage the .underside of the door frame transom, means for movably connecting said plate to said cross member, means for maintaining 'said plate in engagement with the underside of the door frame transom,-an inclined bracing member having an upper end portion extending downwardly from said cross member to the opposite side of the door frame, and means connecting the upper end of said bracing member to said cross member, said inclined bracing member co-acting with the supporting legs to maintain the door frame in a fixedposition.

2. In combination with a door frame bracing jack assembly, a cross member provided with spaced supporting legs disposed on opposite sides of the door frame, a vertically displaceable plate on one side of the cross member, and arranged releasably to engage the underside of the door frame transom, means for movably connecting said plate to said cross member, means for moving and maintaining said plate in engagement with the underside of said transom, said plate having its lower end provided with a lateral offset portion, and a brace member detachably connected to said offset portion, said brace member extending downwardly and crosswise within the door frame so as to coact with the supporting legs to prevent displacement of the door frame during the interval the masonry wall adjacent the door frame is being erected and until the wall is built to a predetermined height- 3. In combination with a door frame jack assembly, as called for in claim 2, in which means are provided for adjustably connecting the brace member to said cross member.

4. In combination with a door frame bracing jack assembly, across member provided with spaced supporting legs disposed on opposite sides of the door frame, a vertically displaceable plate on one side of said cross member, and arranged releasably to engage the'underside of the door frame transom, means for movably connecting said plate to said cross member, means for moving and maintaining said plate in engagement with the underside ofsaid transom, said plate having an intermediate por'tion'provided with a vertical elongated slot and terminating at its upper end in a lateral flange "overlapping the top of said cross member and engage- -mined height.

5. In combination with a door frame bracing jack assembly, a cross member provided with spaced supporting legs disposed on opposite sides of the door frame, a vertically-movable plate engageable with the underside of the door frame to support the same, said plate having an intermediate portion positioned on one side of the cross member, means for movably connectingtsaid plate to said cross member, said intermediate portion having 'an upper flanged endextending laterally therefrom and overlapping the top of said cross member, said intermediate portion at its lower end terminating in a lateral flange extending in a direction opposite to the top flange and terminating in a 'depending end portion, a supporting brace member having an upper end provided with means fornreleasably engaging the depending end portionof said movable plate, said brace member extending downwardly and crosswise within the depending frame, and means adjustably connected to the cross member and engaging the underside of the lower end flange of said movable plate for moving and maintaining the upper flange of said plate in engagement with the transom of thedoor frame so as to support the same.

6. In combination with a door frame bracing jack assembly, a cross member provided with-spaced supporting legs :disposed on opposite sides of the door frame, a'vertically movable plate engageable with the underside of the door frame to support the same, means for movably connecting said plate to said cross member, a bell crank pivotally connected to one side of said cross member, a brace member pivotally connected to one arm of the bell crank, and means adjustably connecting the other arm of the bell crank and engageable with the adjacent side of said cross member for rotating the bell crank relative to the cross member so as to impart longitudinal movement to the brace member.

7. In combination with a door frame bracing jack assembly, a cross member provided with spaced supporting legs disposed on opposide sides of-the door frame, a vertically movable plate engageable with the underside of the door frame to support the same, means for movably connecting said plate to said cross member, a bell crank having a lateral arm and an upwardly extending vertical arm adjacent the side of the cross member, means pivotally connecting said bell crank to said cross member below said movable plate, a brace member having an upper end pivotally connected to the lateral armof said bell crank, and adjustable means connected to the vertical arm of said bell crank and engaging the side of the cross member for rotating the bell crank about'its pivot so as to vary the axial displacement of the brace member.

8. In combination with a door frame bracing jack assembly, as called for in claim 7, in which the brace member has a lower tubular portion and an upper rod portion telescoping within the tubular portion, and means for adjusting the length "of'the rod portion relative to the tubularportion.

9. Incombinati'on with aYdoor frame bracing vjack assembly, a crossmember; provided with spaced supporting legs disposed on oppositessides of the door frame, a vertically movable plate engageablewith the underside of the door frame to support the same, means for movably connecting said plate to said cross member a bell crank pivotally connected to said cross member, said .bell crank having a lateral arm and an upwardly extending vertical arm, a'threaded screw adjustably connected to the vertical arm of said bell crank and en- 'gageable with the side of the crossmember .so as to control the rotation of the bell crank about its pivot, a

supporting brace member extending downwardly and arm of said bell crankso as to control the axial displacement of the brace member upon actuation of the adjustable screw.

10. In combination with "a door frame, .aJpair of'transversely spaced bracing jack assemblies engageable with the door frame to maintain the same in a fixed position, each of said jack assemblies including a cross head member provided with spaced supporting legs disposed on opopsite sides'of thedoor'frame, means for clamping said cross member 'tO oneside of the door frame, a vertically. movable plate engageable with the underside of the transom of the .doorfframe to support the same, means adjustably connecting the plate to'the cross member so as' to move and maintain the plate inengagement with the door frame, an inclined supporting brace member connected to saidcross head member, said brace member extending downwardly and crosswisewithin the door frame so as to engage the floor andcoact with the supporting legs to prevent displacement of the door frame during the interval the masonry wall adjacent the frame is being erected and until the wall i il tsub and being erected and until the wall is built'to a predetermined height. 7 i

11. In combination with a door frame, as called for in claim 10, in which means are. provided for adjustably connecting the brace member to said'cross member.

. 12. In combination with a door frame, a pair of transversely spaced bracing jackassemblies engageable .with

the door frame to maintain the same in a fixed position, each of said jack assemblies including a cross member provided-with spaced supporting legs disposed on opposite sides of the door, frame, a vertically movable vplate engageable with the underside of the transom of the door frame to support the same, means adjustably connecting the plate to the cross member so as to move and maintain the plate in engagement with the door frame, said plate having an intermediate portion provided with a vertical elongated slot and terminating at its upper end in a lateral flange overlapping the top of the cross member'and engageable with the transom, the lower end of said intermediate portion having a depending flanged end, an auxiliary brace member havingan upper end provided with a cut-out portion releasably engageable with the depending flange of said plate, said brace member extending downwardly within the frame so as to coact with the supporting legs to maintain the door frame in a fixed position.

13. In combination with a door frame, a pair of transversely spaced bracing jack assemblies engageable with the door frame to maintain the same in a fixed position, each of said jack assemblies including a cross member provided with spaced supporting legs disposed on opposite sides of the door frame, a vertically movable plate engageable with the underside of the transom of the door frame to support the same, means adjustably connecting the plate to the cross member so as to move and maintain the plate in engagement with the door frame, a bell crank having lateral arms and an upwardly extending vertical arm adjacent the side of the cross member, means pivotally connecting'said bell crank to said cross member, an auxiliary brace member having an upper end pivotally connected to the lateral arm of said bell crank, and an adjustable set screw connected to the vertical arm of said bell crank and engaging the side of the cross member for rotating the bell crank about its pivot so as toimpart longitudinal movement to the brace member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,240,724 Stoehr May 6, 1941 

